MP Apsana Begum to stand trial in July on housing fraud charges

Apsana Begum, Labour candidate for Poplar and Limehouse
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Labour MP Apsana Begum will stand trial in July over housing fraud allegations after a judge prioritised her trial in the “public interest”.  

The 30-year-old politician is accused of concealing the true state of her living conditions when she was handed an east London social housing council flat.  

The MP for Poplar and Limehouse is accused of fraud between January 2013 and March 2016, in a prosecution brought by Tower Hamlets council.  

At a hearing at Snaresbrook crown court this morning, Judge Martyn Zeidman QC set down the case for a four-day trial to start on July 21.  

He said some cases, including those involving sensitive sexual allegations and where defendants are in custody, are currently being prioritised during the pandemic, when the number of jury trials being held is limited.  

Due to backlogs in the system, some non-priority trials are now being listed in 2022, with others expected to eventually reach court in 2023. 

Judge Zeidman concluded in Begum’s case: “I’m inclined to say this case should be given a degree of priority because there’s a public interest in these issues being resolved as quickly as possible.”

Begum, who was elected to Parliament in December 2019, was not present at Monday’s hearing, with lawyers addressing the judge over a videolink.  

Her barrister, Judy Khan QC, confirmed Begum will enter not guilty pleas to all charges.  

The MP said in a statement last month: “I am vigorously contesting these charges. The ongoing legal proceedings mean that I cannot and will not be making any further public comment during this process. I want to thank my lawyers and supporters at this difficult time."

It is said she caused more than £63,000 of loss to the council when she was given the one-bedroom flat on the Isle of Dogs, allegedly failing to disclose key information to the housing authorities.  

The Shadwell-born MP appeared at Westminster magistrates court last month to indicate her pleas, and is on unconditional bail until the trial.  

Judge Zeidman said the case would be listed again on July 7 for a pre-trial review.  

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